At the virtual interim meeting Nov. 13–17, the ACR delegation led a successful bid to update American Medical Association policies on home infusion and copay accumulators and supported efforts against the Most Favored Nation drug pricing model.
ACR Advances Rheumatology Positions in American Medical Association Policies
At the American Medical Association House of Delegates Special Meeting held Nov. 13–17, 2020, the ACR’s delegation successfully led an effort to update AMA policies on home infusion and copay accumulators.
UnitedHealthcare Delays Copay Accumulator Policy
After ACR and other provider and patient organizations expressed concerns about a proposed copay accumulator policy set to take effect Jan. 1, 2021, UnitedHealthcare has indefinitely delayed its implementation but is continuing to explore options to reduce spending on specialty drugs.
ACR Leads Resolution to Address Copay Accumulator Policies at AMA House of Delegates Meeting
If passed, the ACR-authored resolution will direct the AMA to advocate for copay accumulator bans at state and federal levels. Several other specialties and state medical associations have joined the resolution as cosponsors.
UHC Announces New Copay Accumulator Policy Affecting In-Office Treatments
Editor’s note Nov. 23, 2020: As of Nov. 12, 2020, UHC has delayed implementation of the policy discussed below. See “UnitedHealthcare Delays Copay Accumulator Policy.” UnitedHealthcare (UHC) announced that, as of Jan. 1, 2021, providers will be required to report the amount their patients receive in copay assistance for office-administered treatments. UHC will then use…
Copay Accumulator Programs Can Derail Rheumatologic Treatment Plans
As the medications for rheumatology become more expensive, the need for patient financial assistance becomes paramount. Unfortunately, commercially insured patients are finding it difficult to afford the exorbitant copays required by their plans, and the latest strategy of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) threatens to derail rheumatologic treatment goals. High deductible plans combined with copay accumulator…
Walmart, Home Depot Adopt Health Insurer Tactic in Drug Copay Battle
NEW YORK (Reuters)—Walmart and Home Depot, two of the top 10 U.S. employers, have embraced a health insurance strategy that punishes drugmakers for using discount cards to keep patients from switching or stopping their medications. Large U.S. companies have started tightly managing how employees and their family members use these popular discount, or copay, cards…
Affiliate Society Council Meeting Provides Motivation, Fellowship, Opportunity
On Wednesday, May 16, 2018, the ACR’s Affiliate Society Council (ASC) convened a meeting in Washington, D.C., in conjunction with the ACR’s Advocacy Leadership Conference. Despite inclement weather that delayed or cancelled numerous flights, several rheumatology representatives from states across the U.S. attended the meeting in person, while others participated by conference call. “It was…